CFP: Christian Witness in a World of Clashing Cultures (12/5/05; 4/6/06-4/8/06)

full name / name of organization:

Doug Davison

contact email:

DDavison@ac.edu

Call for Papers

Southeastern Conference on Christianity and Literature=20

Anderson College, Anderson, SC April 6-8, 2006

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General Topic: Christian Witness in a World of Clashing Cultures

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The resurgence of "multicultural theory" over recent decades in highereducation in the United States has drawn attention to the often-violentintersection of cultures. Even America, which prides itself ondemocratic principles, does not have the best of histories here - thedecimation of the Native American tribes, the enslavement of Africans,the exploitation of immigrant workers, the internment of Japanese andArab citizens - the list goes on. Are human beings doomed to besuspicious of other cultures? Are we doomed to xenophobia?=20

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The 2006 meeting of the Southeastern Conference on Christianity andLiterature will address the literary intersection between Christianityand other cultures and traditions. Papers that explore the literaryresponse to the following topics are especially welcomed:

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Christian perspectives/views/understandings of other cultures: Is therea particularly Christian way of understanding how we should relate tocultures that are not our own? =20

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Non-Christian perspectives/views/understandings of Christianity: Howshould Christians relate to those cultures outside of the Church? =20

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Retellings of the biblical story in different cultural contexts: What dothese retellings accomplish for the community of believers and for thoseoutside that community? =20

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Christian responses to different incarnations of Christianity: What isthe relationship between "Christianity" and "culture"? What makes aculture Christian? Is there a distinctly Christian culture? =20

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The clash of cultures: What can literature reveal about the clashing ofcultures? How does literature portray the dangers and promises of theencounters among cultures?

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Christian responses to xenocide: Clashes in cultures have produced someof the darkest events in human history. What is a Christian witness inthe midst of these atrocities? How does literature explore the balancebetween the need for forgiveness and the danger of the passiveacceptance of evil? How far should Christians go in pursuing justice -in pursuing forgiveness? Are the two at odds with one another? Doesliterature reveal limits to forgiveness?

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Guidelines

The program committee seeks scholarly works on the aforementionedtopics, but papers tangentially related to the conference theme willalso be considered. Papers should not exceed a reading time of 15-20minutes (8-10 typed pages). Please submit abstracts (via e-mail) to Dr.Margaret Wooten (mwooten_at_ac.edu).=20

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Deadline for submissions: December 5, 2005.

All presenters should be registered members of the Conference onChristianity and Literature. =20